Benjie Paras: Top basketball player reinvents self

The former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) superstar turned actor is now making a scene on primetime TV as the King of Monkeys. Benjie Paras plays Haring Dinggol in the top-rating show Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag. What makes Benjie stay on top of his game and why do kids love seeing this gentle giant on screen? Venancio 'Benjie' Johnson Paras, Jr. was a basketball superstar during his college days and later on at the PBA. Not new to fame and lots of girls going gaga over him, Benjie handles his acting career with finesse. The Tower of Power Benjie got his nickname "The Tower of Power" when he wowed basketball fanatics with his excellent ball-handling, rebounding and deft in mid-range shooting. In fact, he is the only PBA player who won the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in a single season in 1989. He won the MVP award again in 1999 and retired from basketball after 14 productive years of playing in the league. Benjie played a total of 574 games, where he made 10,322 points, 4,402 rebounds, 1,822 assists, 1,323 blocks and 221 steals. Showbiz magic Following the footsteps of other PBA stars who found the lure of show business too tempting to resist, Benjie started his acting career on television. Appearing in various sitcoms like Kool Ka Lang, Lagot Ka Isusumbong Kita, Family Zoo, and Lupin, among others, Benjie found out that, like basketball, he has a natural talent in playing comic roles. "Actually sa akin 'yung napapansin ko mabenta ako sa mga bata, hindi sa chicks (smiles)," quips the tall comedian. He acknowledges the fact that he is indeed a funny man in person and iGMA witnessed this when the web team visited him on the set of Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag. His wisecracks and jokes on his co-stars proved how smart and witty this gentle giant can be. Truly looks can be deceiving sometimes. Who would have thought that Benjie Paras will adeptly play the role of a king of monkeys? Talk about reinventing one's self! - iGMA.tv